What's it all about

Bob Geldof:

These concerts are the start point for The Long Walk To Justice, the one way we can all make our voices heard in unison.

This is without doubt a moment in history where ordinary people can grasp the chance to achieve something truly monumental and demand from the 8 world leaders at G8 an end to poverty.

The G8 leaders have it within their power to alter history. They will only have the will to do so if tens of thousands of people show them that enough is enough.

By doubling aid, fully cancelling debt, and delivering trade justice for Africa, the G8 could change the future for millions of men, women and children."

LIVE 8

LIVE 8 is part of a day of action across the world which kick-starts The Long Walk to Justice that calls on the leaders of the world’s richest countries to act when they meet in Gleneagles on 6th-9th July. On July 2nd in London, Edinburgh, Philadelphia, Berlin, Paris and Rome millions will be coming together to call for complete debt cancellation, more and better aid and trade justice for the world’s poorest people.

LIVE 8 is calling for people across the world to unite in one call – in 2005 it is your voice we are after, not your money.

G8

The G8 brings together the leaders of the worlds most powerful countries – the USA, Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia. This year they meet from 6th – 9th July in Gleneagles with Britain’s Prime Minister, Tony Blair hosting the summit.

Tony Blair has put the challenges faced in Africa on the top of the agenda – but the leaders need to know when they sit down that the world is watching them and waiting for them to deliver.

Live Aid

13th July 1985 saw the world sit up and take notice when rock stars from around the world held unique dual concerts in London and Philadelphia, which saw millions of people watching as Live Aid, called on people to take action to help the sufferers of the famine hitting Africa.

Live Aid raised over $100 million. But 20 years on poverty, famine and disease is still a major problem in Africa. The public have shown how important this is to them now it is time to get governments to act.

LIVE 8 is about justice not charity.

GCAP

2005 offers a unique opportunity for everyone to come together and ask the G8 to make poverty history. LIVE 8 is one event of many around the world supporting the aims of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. The global symbol of the campaign is a white band. To find out how to get one, and for more information about what is happening near you, visit one of the sites below.

DATA

DATA is part of a rising tide of action by people like you to beat back these crises.

The organization was founded in 2002 by Bono, the lead singer of U2, along with Bobby Shriver and activists from the Jubilee 2000 Drop the Debt campaign. At the core of DATA's mission is a view that these issues are not about charity, but about equality and justice.

Africa Commission

The British Prime Minister Tony Blair launched the Commission for Africa in February 2004. The aim of the Commission was to take a fresh look at Africa’s past and present and the international community’s role in its development path.

Trade Justice - What Needs To Be Done?

It's simple really, change the rules. Now.

It's an obvious solution - challenge and change the rules so they work for poor countries. Re-write them so poor countries can develop, build their own industries, grow stronger, and one day compete as equals. Rich countries used trade rules to protect themselves as they developed - which is how they got where they are now. Now we need to use trade rules to end world poverty as we know it.

Debt - What Needs To Be Done?

Two weeks ago 280 million Africans woke up for the first time in their lives without owing you or me a penny from the burden of debt that has crippled them and their countries for so long. The deal struck by G7 Finance Ministers was a victory for the millions of people in the campaigns around the world. But the deal affects, immediately, only 18 countries. There are twice that number in need of help, including Nigeria. And though debt cancellation should be directed in ways that reduce poverty and improve governance it must not come with arduous economic strings attached.

Aid - What Needs To Be Done?

But it's vital that this Aid focuses better on poor people's needs. This means more aid being spent on areas such as basic health care and education. Aid should support poor countries' and communities' own plans and paths out of poverty.